NEW...DOLPHIN/SWAN..."questions and answers"...tips and hints!

[2002Disneybride]

I sent one of those "special request" emails on swandolphin.com
I basically just said anything they could do to make our stay special etc, such as a room on 12th fl. etc...would be greatly appreciated. ((I have always sent room requests to WDW resorts and always been accomodated)) Has this been your experience? Anyone? I am just wondering if they are accomodating, and if people only get upgraded who have starwood pts etc. I am just wondering what others have experienced.
Thanks so much.

 

[anne60]

We had a wonderful stay. The room was great, the bed was unbelievable and the pillows were the best!

Club lounge was very nice, great service and food, nice view to boot.

Transportation is okay to MGM and Epcot (boats), but the bus ride to MK is not fun...stops at dolphin, then yacht then beach then boardwalk then (to add insult to injury) you ride back by the entrance to the Swan (without pulling in or stopping)...trip took 35 minutes once we got on the bus.

My only other "down" comment is that the pool closed at 9 pm...we were very disappointed that we did not get to do our evening swim and hot tub!

The hotel staff was excellent, and the place was spotless.

 

[2002Disneybride]

I was under the impression that the pool was 24 hr, though lifeguards weren't present and it was swim at your own risk

 

[RobMax]

Originally posted by 2002Disneybride
I was under the impression that the pool was 24 hr, though lifeguards weren't present and it was swim at your own risk

Ahh - swim at own risk is the sign of our nasty legal system. Must be said ... I have said hello to security at 2 AM ... Not to worry!

 

[jaygatz]

that legal system is the greatest system ever conceived

is my counter going down????

 

[jgates]

Yes, your counter is going down - quit rubbing it in! Take a look at my awful one - I have way over a year yet.

Bus system must vary somewhat by time of year. I heard before we left that it stopped at Y/B also, but in July it stopped & picked us up at Swan then went to Dolphin then to parks. On way back to Dolphin then Swan. We never ended up at Y/B or Boardwalk on bus. I suppose if it is classified as a busier time of year they may split the route.

Upgrades seem to be a matter of luck & politeness sometimes. Often people who have a Starwood card, even with no points will receive upgrades.

DF-I saw a short article on Pilates a week or two ago - was considering trying it out a bit. If I get enough ambition I will let you know if it helps me!

 

[2002Disneybride]

So I am confused...To swim or NOT to swim

 

[happytrails2u]

I SAY SWIM AWAY!!!

DF, hope you can arrange your voyage next year. Those itineraries sound magnificant. One of my colleagues in currently in the south of France as we speak. I asked him to bring me back a bottle of wine from this area (or at least a t-shirt - lol). Also hope you get to Trunk Bay this summer. Btw, tell DH that there's a great snorkel trail there, where you follow/snorkel along a path that has numerous plaques set in the sand. They're illustrated to show what specific types of coral and sea-life you're most apt to see as you meander along. There are also showers, facilities, a small gift shop and snack bar in a shaded area just behind the beach!

I noticed the renovated Swan rooms and looks like they've added art-work on the head-boards, which were not there in December, at least in our Jr. Suite.

Adds a nice touch.

 

[marymrg]

But I will be at the Swan on Sunday in a King room so I will ask if all Kings are heavenly. I know mine will be........since I won't have a little munchkin climbing into it during the night!

 

[Debbie7452]

Hello,

I have been following the thread but quietly since I had nothing fun or current to report, since our trip is so far away. However, I have booked a cash & points room now booked at Westin La Cantera for the end of this month! It is a deal so great I finally convinced DH we had to go. For only a $60 (& 4000 pts) rate, we will live it up in San Antonio. They have a 4pm late check out, heavenly beds/baths, kids eat free w/parents, kids program is free if a parent accompanies them AND we will get concierge priv. since I am Platinum. I have also requested a room at the concierge level with a step out balcony. They call it the "Royal Hacienda Level"...sounds sooo nice. The pool looks like every kids dream. I am keeping quiet about it all around here though. I'd like to see the kids amazed faces when they see it themselves!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Debbie: We stayed at the La Cantera a couple of nights last summer and enjoyed our stay. Fiesta Texas Six Flags is right next door and they have a free shuttle to get you back and forth. The pool is nice and my girls enjoyed the slide and they cooked smores at night around the pool area. We also love the Hyatt hill country resort which is close to sea world, also in San Antonio. Have a great time!

Me and Baby Kirk are doing great. They have decided to deliver him earlier than expected. I will have an amnio done to check for lung maturity on June 9 and will proceed to delivery if he is ready, if not he will be induced on June 23rd. I am praying for a healthy little boy. We go for a sonogram on Thursday to see how much he currently weighs. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!

I am missing WDW! I enjoy reading your post and seeing all the great pictures!

 

[RAV]

Good luck Mom Poppins!

 

[Mouseteacher]

The Heavenly beds look wonderful! I really like the painting on the headboard.

marymrg ~ Lucky you - have a wonderful trip.

Mom Poppins ~ wonderful news for you and baby Kirk. Thanks for the update and keep us posted. Prayers and PD are still coming your way.

 

[Kapp]

Anyone have the wording I should submit to request a room upgrade for the Dolphin? Looking for the best room possible (of course!) with a view of the Epcot fireworks. Hope to use SPG Gold points for upgrade to Club Level from standard room. Is that possible?

Need all the help we can get!

THANKS!

Kapp

 

[mom23guys2]

See if you can get an upgraded view and just have CL privileges. The rooms on CL do not all have a great view and the one I was in certainly needed to be refurbished. If you are going later in the year after the Dolphin has been upgraded this shouldn't be a problem. The CL lounge access was certainly wonderful. Oh how I long for those croissants at breakfast.

 

[jgates]

Any of you tempted by the Disney Fairytale offer? I would love to be able to say I stayed at the GF or Boardwalk once, then I will be happy to go back home to the Swan! Those prices are fantastic!

Tag Fairy - are you back yet? I still need my tags back again!

 

[dreamflight99]

Debbie7452...I've heard nothing but RAVES about the Westin La Cantera...with the canals, theme parks, shopping and quiet romantic setting. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

MOM POPPINS...So Happy to hear...please keep us posted on all progress/news. Prayers & PD with you daily, 100+%.

kapp..."When" are you traveling?

jgates...hmmm, I'm thinking about that one! Are you pondering, too?!

TTFN.....

 

[RobMax]

What are chances for an upgrade looking like for this month? (I'm platinum)

If you were going to ask for a studio with a view in the Swan but could only have one or the other - which would you choose???

View (what view would you ask for?) or Studio?

 

[madge]

Any of you tempted by the Disney Fairytale offer? I would love to be able to say I stayed at the GF or Boardwalk once, then I will be happy to go back home to the Swan! Those prices are fantastic!

wellllll...I put a fairytale package on hold for the Polynesian, GV concierge yesterday. I figure it is our best chance for a stay there. Will I keep it? probably not. We love splitting our stay between the Dolphin and one of the monorail resorts. This trip we are doing MNSSHP, and it is soooo convenient to be at a monorail resort for that I was really hoping for room only rate codes, but from what I understand they may be a long time coming, if there are any at all.

I went ahead and booked, primarily because I have been checking garden view concierge at the poly for several weeks and even before the package was announced, availability was really spotty. another reason I don't like this package is the UPH. it just doesn't work for us.

I am actually more concerned with what this package is going to do to the crowds--my late Sept/ early Oct is usually so nice, not too crowded. I hope this doesn't mean it is going to be like Spring Break--I have BTDT and am not a fan

interesting marketing on disney's part, that's for sure!

 

[Muffy]

Originally posted by RobMax
What are chances for an upgrade looking like for this month? (I'm platinum)

If you were going to ask for a studio with a view in the Swan but could only have one or the other - which would you choose???

View (what view would you ask for?) or Studio?

RobMax,
My DS is leaving for the Dolphin tomorrow and got a great upgrade with his father's Platnimum SPG. He got a corner king room, east wing, with CL. We only made this reservation 2 weeks ago! At first we were told, NO, concerning the east wing but we got some pixie dust and got the east wing afterall! So I would say you have a very good chance of getting a studio at the Swan in May with Platinum SPG. Hope this helps!

Muffy